2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card.

Ireland is classed as part of the Common Travel Area of the UK, which is why UK nationals don’t need to take a passport. It remains advisable to take one though, and airlines and ferry companies nearly always require some form of photographic ID. It’s a good idea to check with the individual company prior to a trip.

Visas:

Visas for Ireland are not required by the nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

• Nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period.

• Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Single-journey visas: up to three months. Multiple-journey visas are usually only issued to visitors who have previously held two Irish visas and have observed the conditions of these visas. The validity is longer, but they are only intended for short trips and cannot be used for back-to-back trips of 90 days each.

Transit:

Transit visas are required by some nationals; check with the embassy.

Application to:

All applications for Irish visas must be made initially using the online Visa Application System (AVATS) at www.visas.inis.gov.ie. On completion of the online form, applicants are then advised where to submit their application, which will either be the Irish Embassy or Consulate in their home country, or directly to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in Dublin.

Schengen visas:

Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and Schengen visas are not valid.

Working days:

If documentation is in order, straightforward visa applications should be decided within seven to 15 days of receipt. Those referred to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service may take longer. It is advisable to apply eight weeks prior to your intended date of travel.

Sufficient funds:

All visa applicants are expected to show bank statements to prove they have sufficient funds for the duration of their stay.

Extension of stay:

Non-EEA nationals wishing to stay in Ireland for longer than three months have to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. There is a fee of €300 to register.

Entry with children:

If visas are needed, a form must be filled out for each individual applicant, including children under 18.

Entry with pets:

Pets entering Ireland from within the EU require a passport or certificate showing the pet’s ID, a subsequent rabies vaccination with the first vaccination at least 21 days prior to entry, and (for dogs) specific tapeworm treatment. Those pets coming from outside the EU are designated either high-risk or low-risk, depending on which country they arrive from. Both require the pet to have detailed proof of ID and good health. Check www.agriculture.gov.ie for further information.